Adios, Superman?

Chris Godsey, author of the article “Men & Body Image,” notes that body image is no longer an exclusive female problem. Believing that we can fix body image issues he asks, “Where do we start?” In answer to his question, I say we begin by looking at the toys and media images that surround our young sons—specifically superheroes and action figures.

The issue of male body image is not an entirely new one. Since the time of Charles Atlas in the 1930s and 1940s men have aspired to a more muscular physique. (See how Charles Atlas’ ads cajoled men into trying his fitness regimen by calling them “skinny” and “weaklings.”) The trend continues today but the age at which body dissatisfaction first occurs has dropped.

Recent research has shown that boys as young as 8 struggle with body image, 25% of boys between the ages of 10 and 14 are dieting to lose weight,[i] and 41% of boys aged 13 to 19 are dissatisfied with their bodies. A study conducted by the authors of The Adonis Complexindicated that when given a choice between body types, more than half of boys aged 11 to 17 chose a figure that possessed about 35 pounds more muscle than they possessed themselves—an ideal that for most males can only be attained by using steroids.[ii]

Where does male body dissatisfaction originate? Researchers point to “the lean but muscular male ideal increasingly portrayed in advertising and other media,” which could be “as harmful for men as thin ideals are for women.”[iii] Studies also note that many of the earliest messages boys receive about the ideal male body come from television, movies, and toys.[iv]

Superman in 2001

Superheroes, as the epitome of masculinity in children’s popular culture, shoulder at least some of the blame for boys’ body image problems. Whether flying through the sky, swinging on a web between skyscrapers, or tackling a criminal to the ground, their physical feats take precedence over any other attributes they may possess. Carrying out such heroic exploits requires a certain physique—one that was evident in the muscular superheroes of my childhood but has reached new extremes in today’s animated heroes.

A comparison of images from the 1970s series Super Friendsand today’s Justice Leagueshows how much these characters have grown. Today’s incarnations of Superman and Batman are significantly larger in the chest and shoulders than the older versions, with one author claiming that Batman’s shoulders have “morphed from one fourth of his height to almost half of his height.”[v] Even B-list Justice League hero Aquaman has changed from a fit and defined half-man/half-fish to a hulking Neptune-like character with gigantic biceps.

Action figures have also bulked up. Although not a superhero in the conventional sense, G.I. Joe is a popular male action figure whose 1964 version, when translated into human terms, had a 44-inch chest and 12-inch biceps. By the mid 1990s, Joe’s chest had expanded to 55 inches and his biceps to a highly unrealistic 27.2 inches.[vi] One version of the Wolverine action figure, when translated to a man of 5 feet 10 inches tall, would have biceps of 32 inches—just one inch less than his waist. Newer action figures based on wrestlers and martial arts fighters have similar proportions.

Physiques like these put action figures into or beyond bodybuilder range—not exactly the average man. By way of comparison, bodybuilder Steve Reeves—a man who was considered to have had the most perfectly proportioned (and drug-free) body ever—had a chest measurement of 52 inches, a waist of 29 inches, and biceps of 18.25 inches each.[vii]

According to The Adonis Complex, the danger of exposing young boys to such extremes is that children are not old enough to stop and question whether the level of muscularity in their favorite action heroes is realistic. This constant, distorted messaging about the ideal male body, present in boys’ lives from preschool age through their adult years, can have a considerable negative impact. Body image is closely tied to self-esteem in boys, especially among those who are short in stature or late developing. In fact, appearance is more important for most teenage boys than academic or athletic achievement, or even peer acceptance. Some studies have also shown that boys with a negative body image are more prone to depression.

Adding to the problem is that most parents are unaware of body image issues in their sons. They may be attuned to similar problems in their daughters but many assume that body dissatisfaction does not affect boys. Cultural imperatives dictating that boys should not talk about their concerns exacerbate the problem. As boys get older, they often internalize their worries about their bodies and, “in the absence of feedback from their families … listen to other voices,” including television and other pop culture outlets that perpetuate the over-muscled masculine ideal. [viii]

Is it time for our sons to bid adieu to Superman and other action heroes? I wouldn’t go that far. But it is time for parents and caregivers to increase their vigilance and mediate the negative messages pop culture sends young boys about manhood, masculinity, and body image.

Crystal Smith is a social media and marketing writer who, after being regularly disappointed by the film and television offerings available to her two young sons, decided to write about the impact of kids’ popular culture on young boys in her upcoming book The Achilles Effect and on her blog at www.achilleseffect.com.

I agree with Crystal. So many people worry about girls and their issues, which are not inconsiderable, per se, but the focus on the girls means that the boys’ fears most probably would slip under the radar.
Philip, women need to be fit as well, because it is extremely difficult for an out-of-shape (as in, physically unfit woman) woman to handle periods and childbirth.
Another thing: If men are designed by nature to protect their families, then why is it that the maternal instinct to protect a child at all costs, is so much more well-known? Think about it.
I particularly concur with Crystal on the matter of gender stereotypes. Rosalind Wiseman in her book, “Queen Bees and Wannabes”, points out that extraordinary danger in stereotypical “masculinity”, which often manifests itself in, believe it or not, homophobia.

Being busy with holiday preparations, I didn’t see this comment until now.

I must admit that I find it troubling. At one time the traits you describe may have been essential for men, but we are long past that era now.

That many men feel that their worth is primarily physical and that self-esteem comes from being powerful and strong is the reason gender stereotypes still exist. Consider that the corollary to this emphasis on physical strength in men is an implication of weakness in the opposite sex, which you infer in your comment about men needing to protect their families.

(The danger of male gender stereotypes was summarized by William Pollack, author of Real Boys. He refers to the “big wheel imperative”, which dictates that men must perform at their highest level at all times. It also teaches men and boys to maintain a façade of control, even when things are not going as planned, while never giving into feelings of doubt or betraying the slightest hint of weakness.)

Men are not one-dimensional. Some choose to derive their happiness and sense of self-worth from physical strength. Others find no need to worry about being physically powerful and they are no less manly for it.

We need to get past these rigid and outmoded stereotypes to allow people of both sexes to be seen as successful and accomplished individuals, regardless of whether they fit the body ideals that our society so stubbornly clings to.

Men – by nature – are intended to be fit. I believe real men should be fit enough to handle most of the physical tasks of life – to sprint, lift heavy objects, protect their families, etc.

The best approach is to forgo aesthetics and focus instead I believe on athletics. Put down the bodybuilding and cover model magazines and engage in real performance-based fitness like our ancestors were involved with over the course of history.

When you feel powerful you care less about how you look and more in tune with your true-self conquering, confident inner male.

Feeling “manly” and “powerful” is really the best way to also get in touch with your caring ad compassionate inner dude.